Playing for Pizza: A Novel (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper)) | 
 enlarge | Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Random House Large Print
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $11.97
You Save: $9.98 (45%)
New (30) from $11.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  254 reviews
Sales Rank: 266815
Format: Large Print
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 1
ISBN: 0739327755
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780739327753
ASIN: 0739327755
Publication Date: September 24, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new hardcover. SHIPS TODAY!!
|
| Also Available In:
|
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Playing for Pizza: A Q&A with John Grisham Q: American football in Italy seems like an unlikely subject for a John Grisham novel. What was the inspiration for Playing for Pizza? A: Three years ago when I was in Bologna researching "The Broker", I discovered American football. One of my guides in the area played football for the Bologna Warriors for 10 years. I couldn't believe that American football actually existed there, but the more I heard about it the more intrigued I became. Q: There is some great football writing in this novel. What kind of research was involved in capturing how this American institution is played in small town Italy? A: The only way to research the book was to go to Parma and watch a game. The coach is an American who played at Illinois State, and he proved to be extremely valuable. I met many of the Italian players and the story simply unfolded. Q: Speaking of research, you write lovingly of Italian food and wine in this book. What's your idea of the perfect Italian meal? A: First course: prosicutto and melon; second course: stuffed tortellini; third course: roasted stuffed capon, all served with a great Barolo wine. Q: Without giving away too much of the plot, your protagonist falls in love by the novel's end. Did you know when you started writing that Rick would get the girl? A: Of course. Q: You have a new legal thriller coming in January 2008. Can you give us any hints about what to expect? A: I really don't like to talk about a book until it's finished. Sorry. But it will not be another work of non-fiction, nor will it be about football. Lots of lawyers in the next one.
Product Description
Rick Dockery was the third-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. In the AFC Championship game against Denver, to the surprise and dismay of virtually everyone, Rick actually got into the game. With a 17-point lead and just minutes to go, Rick provided what was arguably the worst single performance in the history of the NFL. Overnight, he became a national laughingstock and, of course, was immediately cut by the Browns and shunned by all other teams.
But all Rick knows is football, and he insists that his agent, Arnie, find a team that needs him. Against enormous odds Arnie finally locates just such a team and informs Rick that, miraculously, he can in fact now be a starting quarterback–for the mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy.
Yes, Italians do play American football, to one degree or another, and the Parma Panthers desperately want a former NFL player–any former NFL player–at their helm. So Rick reluctantly agrees to play for the Panthers–at least until a better offer comes along–and heads off to Italy. He knows nothing about Parma, has never been to Europe, and doesn’t speak or understand a word of Italian. To say that Italy holds a few surprises for Rick Dockery would be something of an understatement.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 249 more reviews...
 More like 2 1/2 stars.... July 4, 2008
Rick Dockery has spent his career in the NFL as a back up quarterback. Who would have thought he'd end up in a critical game for the Cleveland Browns- and blow it? Now, Rick has become the most hated person in Cleveland and no team will touch him. No team, that is, except the Parma Panthers in Italy. Will Italy thoroughly enchant Rick or will he continue to bemoan the loss of his NFL career?
John Grisham consistently makes the best seller lists, no matter what he writes. Sadly, PLAYING FOR PIZZA didn't meet my expectations. Mr. Grisham's legal thrillers have almost a dry writing style that works well in that genre. However, in a book about football and about having the will to truly compete, more heart and less dry prose would have helped. Instead of focusing on the development of Rick's passion for playing the game, really playing the game rather than just going through the motions, PLAYING FOR PIZZA offers almost a sports page version of the various plays only broken up by admittedly beautiful descriptions of the food and architecture of Italy.
PLAYING FOR PIZZA is populated by a wide variety of characters, none of which stand out as very likeable. Rick's self centeredness gets old quickly. Perhaps he would have been more likeable had the emotional aspect been explored a bit more. As it was, PLAYING FOR PIZZA felt like a brief but overly simplistic story without any real depth to it.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
 Playing for Pizza July 1, 2008
I have read two other Grisham books and they were both good ("The Client" and "The Pelican Brief"), but I believe this one is my favorite. This book is about making good on second or third chances and about growing-up. The main character, Rick Dockery, makes a wonderful transformation that leaves you cheering at the end for him. I highly recommend this book.
Pizza June 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I did not care for it. My wife loved it. We are both huge Grisham fans.
Another great non legal book by John Grisham June 8, 2008
John Grisham has written several non legal books and I loved reading every one of them. This one is again no exception.
 Don't Bother June 7, 2008
I'm a fan of John Grisham; however,don't bother to read this book unless you have nothing else to do.
|
|
|
